So i've been reading about the SMS for some time now, and I'm ready to order one.

Very excited.

Last consideration is I don't really understand the customization options within the Jerry mods. Can someone explain the tradeoffs between the different options like the 'carbon film resistor' .... I am completely clueless on how these amps are put together.

I just want low end growl and shimmering highs to the extent possible : )

When you're ready to order, Brad will happily (and patiently) walk you through the various options. There are subtle differences, but it would be hard to go wrong. Most important thing maybe is for you to have an idea of what era Jerry tone you like most. Brad can then suggest the appropriate flavor of resistors, caps etc. He really couldn't be a nicer guy.

I just want low end growl and shimmering highs to the extent possible : )

Thanks

The SMS is the right place to start for that. I went for the regular Jerry CTP with the metal film and its the deal, IMO. Of coarse the rest of the rig and how you attack the guitar completes the sound! But, the preamp is the main thing-a-ma-jiggy in my rig.

Has anyone pushed the preamp to about 3-4 o'clock to unlock the preamps clipping tones? I am kinda digging it through the mac especially. I think its clipping the mac too which is why I like it through that set up. Just seeing if anyone strays from the holy grail settings. Of coarse the "regular" Jerry settings are awesome, but pushing the pre a little harder seems to get that extra growl without the coloration of a booster/OD. The only drawback is the envelope filter and octave divider clipping harder, but turning down helps that from being too much of a problem. Is the Earth drive or high end$ booster the answer to get that clipping tone without extra color? I have a LPB1 but it is a little too bright to switch in and out easily. Its an awesome boost, and I like it with my combo amp, but its too bright for my jerry rig.

calbucks09 wrote:So i've been reading about the SMS for some time now, and I'm ready to order one.

Very excited.

Last consideration is I don't really understand the customization options within the Jerry mods. Can someone explain the tradeoffs between the different options like the 'carbon film resistor' .... I am completely clueless on how these amps are put together.

I just want low end growl and shimmering highs to the extent possible : )

Thanks

I'm getting ready to order ,too .... I'm just gonna let Brad do what he wants with the mods.Never been able to get to that place with a amp that was OK .... always something ... tubes going bad ... caps dying ... blah blah blah .... vintage money pit good bye

I finally got to test drive the Earth Drive last night . . . OMFG that thing is awesome! Another piece of game-changing work from Brad. There's not a bad sounding setting on it. I'll gig with it tomorrow night so I'll get even a better impression then but I had it cranked pretty loud in the garage last night . . . I'm sure the neighbors were happy

I sent Brad an email when I recieved my ED. I wasn't really understanding Dist/Fuzz/etc, until I got the ED. It came just before I bought a Deluxe with mostly NOS tubes. The ED puts the Deluxe in my SMS>Mc rack rig. Everything else seems like a homogenous sea of similar-ness.

Yea Sarno Music Solutions. I wouldn't be suprised if the big boys don't come knocking on his door. They need to go to the Sarno effects school.

I run my SMS in the 2-3 o'clock range as well . Im not bsing when I say it literally has a hard candy "sweetness" to it. There is no other way to describe it . With Waldo's buffer ESP , it is like candy... So wierd. Im not a tone geek either. I always thought those descriptions and reviews from others were metaphorical, but they are literal. I lightly run the ED after my fx loop and volume pedal and I can't imagine it gets any better.

On a tangent: I got the chance to check out my buddys Mad Professor MP101 last week, and holy smokes that thing is sick . Unreal... Disgusting ... But the CLEAN doesn't touch the SMS...